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Ecclesiastes 7:3

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

KJV

Melius est ire ad domum luctus quam ad domum convivii ; in illa enim finis cunctorum admonetur hominum, et vivens cogitat quid futurum sit.

Vulgate

ἀγαθὸν πορευθῆναι εἰς οἶκον πένθους ἢ ὅτι πορευθῆναι εἰς οἶκον πότου, καθότι τοῦτο τέλος παντὸς ἀνθρώπου, καὶ ὁ ζῶν δώσει ἀγαθὸν εἰς καρδίαν αὐτοῦ.

LXX

Sorrow is better than laughter; for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made glad.

ASV

ט֥וֹב כַּ֖עַס מִ/שְּׂחֹ֑ק כִּֽי בְ/רֹ֥עַ פָּנִ֖ים יִ֥יטַב לֵֽב

Hebrew

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In the original Hebrew

8 distinct Hebrew words appear in this verse.

ט֣וֹב
tvb
verb · 562×
י
y
noun · 591×
יִיטַ֥ב
yytb
verb · 111×
כִּֽי
ky
pronoun · 4439×
כַּ֣עַס
k's
noun · 25×
פְנֵ֣י
pny
noun · 2111×
רֹ֥עַ
r'
noun · 19×
שְׂחוֹק֙
shchvq
noun · 15×

Historic Christian voices

3 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.

Cross-references

  • 2Cor 4:17 — For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
  • 2Cor 7:9 — Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
  • 2Cor 7:9 — Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
  • Dan 9:3 — And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:
  • Dan 10:2 — In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks.
  • Dan 10:19 — And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me
  • Heb 12:10 — For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
  • Jas 1:2 — My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
  • Jas 4:8 — Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
  • Jer 31:8 — Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together:
  • Jer 31:15 — Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
  • Jer 50:4 — In those days, and in that time, saith the LORD, the children of Israel shall come, they and the children of Judah together, going and weeping: they shall go, and seek the LORD their God.
  • John 16:20 — Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
  • Luke 6:21 — Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
  • Luke 6:25 — Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
  • Ps 119:67 — Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
  • Ps 119:71 — It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
  • Ps 126:5 — They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
  • Rom 5:3 — And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
  • Zech 12:10 — And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for h